Italian Rugby Federation

The Italian Rugby Federation (Italian: Federazione Italiana Rugby) or FIR is the governing body for the sport of rugby union in Italy. The FIR has one seat on the 28-member World Rugby Council, the governing body of World Rugby. (All other members of the Six Nations have two seats on the Council.)

Italian Rugby Federation
Federazione Italiana Rugby
SportRugby union
Founded1928 (1928) (1928 (1928))
World Rugby affiliation1987
Rugby Europe affiliation1934
PresidentAlfredo Gavazzi
Men's coachFranco Smith
Women's coachAndrea Di Giandomenico
Websitefederugby.it

There are two fully professional Italian clubs that play in the Pro14, in the European Rugby Champions Cup and in the European Rugby Challenge Cup — Benetton and Zebre. There are twelve semi-professional Italian clubs that play in the Top12, four of which qualify to play in the European Rugby Challenge Cup Qualifying Competition to qualify to the European Rugby Challenge Cup.

History

On 25 July 1911 a Propaganda Committee was formed to promote the sport of rugby union in Italy. In 1928 this body became the Federazione Italiana Rugby (FIR). In 1934 the FIR was a founder member of the Fédération Internationale de Rugby Amateur, now known as Rugby Europe.

The FIR joined the International Rugby Football Board, later known as the International Rugby Board and now as World Rugby, in 1987 when Italy took part in the inaugural World Cup. The Italy national rugby union team has played in the Six Nations Championship since 2000.

Italy bid to host the 2015 Rugby World Cup came close to winning but lost to England by just three votes.[1]

Leadership
  • Alfredo Gavazzi (2012–present) - founder of Rugby Calvisano
  • Giancarlo Dondi (1996-2012) - Gained Italy's entry into the Six Nations Championship in 2000
  • Maurizio Mondelli (1984-1996)

National teams

The FIR is responsible for fielding several men's national teams:

The FIR is also responsible for fielding several women's national teams:

See also

References
  1. ESPN Scrum, Italian rugby chief wades into euro row, Sep. 20, 2012, http://www.espnscrum.com/heineken-cup-2012-13/rugby/story/170055.html


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